Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Stardock

Galactic Civilizations III’s development has progressed to Beta 5. The update adds the option to create custom factions, a bump up to eight factions with two newcomers (Iconian Refuge and Thalan Contingency), a 3D diplomacy overview, two new map sizes (Excessive and Insane), and orbital bombardment as well as tectonic destabilization to the planetary invasion system.

Mohawk Game’s interplanetary economics-themed strategy title Offworld Trading Company has been added to Steam Early Access. A special launch promotion is also ongoing to offer early adopters a 10% discount ($35.99). The Early Access version currently features head-to-head and free-for-all online play, a single-player campaign, and a skirmish mode. As an entrepreneur on Mars, players must follow the market to maximize their profits by buying and selling food, water, and other resources. Hackers and pirates are also available to lend a hand.

Soren Johnson’s Mohawk Games has revealed that the studio’s debut title, Offworld Trading Company, will be available on Steam Early Access on February 12. The economic sim focuses on players trying to maximize their profits by exploiting the resources of Mars. Colonists need resources, food, and water to survive, and skillful players will be able to parlay their business acumen—along with the help of hackers and pirates— into riches that will see them expanding into offworld markets. The Early Access version includes a single-player campaign, a skirmish mode, and head-to-head as well as free-for-all online modes. A few screens and a gameplay trailer were released as well, and can be found below.

Galactic Civilizations III has officially entered beta. As it makes the transition to a new phase of development, Stardock has decided to launch the game on Steam as part of its Early Access program while also lowering the price by five bucks to $44.99. The version available now features sandbox mode and online multiplayer, a first for the series, while diplomacy, revamped ship combat, and trade are planned to go live “in the coming months.” A few of the improvements since the alpha include enhancements to the ship designer and the shipyard being moved off-world to allow for colonies to pool resources.

Stardock has released a new update titled Adversaries for Fallen Enchantress – Legendary Heroes. Version 1.7 adds class-specific items for all hero types as well as improvements for AI (now upgrades outposts, more inclined to declare war), economy balancing (towns provide more money per turn, harbors cheaper to construct), pathfinding (fixed rive-navigation bug), and more. The full change log can be found here.

The galaxy awaits a ruler, and gamers who have ponied up to pre-order the premium version of Galactic Civilizations III can begin their bid for power in the alpha version through Steam Early Access. The build is only accessible for Founder’s Elite Edition owners, which will also net them all upcoming downloadable packs and expansions. The final version of the 4X galaxy-conquering strategy title isn’t due out until next year, but for now, early adopters will be able to play against the AI and others online, try out the new ideology system, and attempt to manipulate the markets in the new economic system.

The first round of screenshots as well as additional concept art from Stardock’s upcoming 4X strategy title Galactic Civilizations III have been revealed. The upcoming entry will be exclusive to 64-bit PCs and add, among other modes and features, an overhauled ship builder, new resource systems, and a new race, the Iridium. The quad-eyed newcomers, and their various forms, are pictured in the art below.

Stardock has acquired the rights to the seminal action-strategy classic Star Control. The studio is planning on beginning development on a new version for PC this year, with the intention of rebooting the series. According to Stardock president and CEO Brad Wardell, the development team expects their iteration to be “similar to what Firaxis did with the XCOM series last year.” Wardell also stated that Star Control II is being looked at “as a major source of inspiration.”

Elemental: Fallen Enchantress’ new standalone expansion Legendary Heroes has launched on Steam and other digital outlets. The $39.99 add-on, $19.99 for owners of Elemental, updates all aspects of the original design, with new features, tweaked unit stats, and an overhauled championship system with static hero placement. A new developer diary has launched to better explain what players can expect.